Ohio's July
Unemployment Rates
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.3 percent in July, down slightly from 10.5 percent in June.
The U.S. unemployment rate for July was 9.5 percent unchanged from June.
In the Region:
Athens: 9.8%
Hocking: 11%
Meigs: 15.3%
Monroe: 14.1%
Morgan: 13.8%
Noble: 14.7%
Perry: 12.7%
Wash.: 8.2%
Infrastructure Conference Set for Sept. 16 in Marietta
Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District is hosting a Community and Economic Development Infrastructure Planning Conference on September 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lafayette Hotel in downtown Marietta.
Representatives from a variety of agencies will share details on funding opportunities and the role of their agencies with infrastructure programs.
Call 1-800-331-2644 for details or to register.
3rd Annual Ohio Global Summit &
Governor's Excellence in Exporting Awards Luncheon
The Ohio Department of Development's Global Markets Division, in conjunction with the Association of Ohio Commodores, is holding the 3rd Annual Ohio Global Summit on Wednesday, September 22, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.
The full-day program will once again cover topics on global trade opportunities, regulations and logistics, electronic payment issues, as well as interactive discussions on the top emerging country markets. Managing Directors from Ohio's 11 international trade offices will attend and participate during several of the planned concurrent breakout sessions.
Registration is now available. Contact the Global Markets Division for more information at (614) 466-5017.
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| Buckeye Hills Partners with Statewide
Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund Program
 Buckeye Hills will administer a new statewide Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program developed by The Ohio Dept. of Agriculture and The Ohio State University South Centers. The AG RLF will provide loans to all eligible applicants to assist with the creation or expansion of agriculture ventures that focus on aquaculture, food processing and bioenergy. Other agricultural projects will also be considered.
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Buckeye Hills Sponsors Ohio Candidates Forum
More than 350 attendees from around Ohio attended an all-day candidates forum on August 4 to hear candidates for Governor (John Kasich-R) and Lt. Gov. (Yvette McGee Brown-D) and for the Ohio seat in the United States Senate (Lee Fisher-D and Rob Portman-R) discuss their positions on the economy, transportation, job creation, and community development. The event was hosted by six Ohio professional associations that focus on economic and community development as well as transportation issues. Buckeye Hills sponsored a table.
Candidates shared their platforms and answered questions. The event also featured a luncheon conversation with political journalists from around the state moderated by Dr. Herb Asher, OSU Professor Emeritus of Political Science.
Event hosts include The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA), The Ohio Assoc. of Regional Councils (OARC), The Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA), Transportation Matters, Women in Transportation (WTS) and The Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Assoc. (APA OH).
Candidate for Lt. Gov.
Yvette McGee-Brown
(left)
John Kasich (right)
Ohio Lt. Gov. and Candidate for U.S. Senator
Lee Fisher (left)
Candidate for U.S. Senator
Rob Portman (right) |
Brown Receives NADO Partnership Award
 The National Association of Development Organization's Congressional Partnership Award recognizes Members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership in promoting regional community and economic development.
The Appalachian local development districts include Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, The Ohio Valley Regional Development District (OVRDC) and The Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) and The Eastgate Regional Council. These districts nominated Senator Sherrod Brown for the NADO Partnership Award because of his advocacy on behalf of the 23 million people of the nation's and Ohio's Appalachian Region.
Ohio's Appalachian Region includes 34 counties. During his term in office, Senator Brown has been a strong advocate fighting for funding of the Appalachian Regional Commission and being a champion for other rural health care, broadband and economic development issues. The Senator and his staff are also focused on helping our communities and the region as a whole.
The Senator accepted the award at the Annual Meeting luncheon for the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) in Marietta Aug. 19.
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Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Available
to Help Save Homes
Behind on the mortgage? Received a letter from the lender? Do not wait for foreclosure; resources are available to help prevent home foreclosures.
With support from a Foreclosure Prevention grant, the Buckeye Hills Housing Program is offering limited cash assistance to help residents of Monroe, Morgan, Noble and Washington Counties save their homes from foreclosure. To qualify for the foreclosure prevention program, homeowners must meet county-specific income guidelines.
Buckeye Hills Housing Coordinator Joe Gage administers the Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Grant provided through the Ohio Department of Development. "With support from this grant, we want to help homeowners BEFORE they get to the point of foreclosure," said Gage. "For residents who qualify, they may be eligible to have up to three months of their mortgage paid. This program may help keep folks from foreclosure if they call soon enough - at the point when they get To be eligible, homeowners must live in Monroe, Morgan, Noble or Washington Counties, and meet income guidelines of (50 percent) area median income at the time of entry into the program. Call the Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.buckeyehills.org for more details.
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Around the District:
Connecting Appalachia Broadband Plan Funded
A $66 million grant will bring broadband Internet access to Ohio's 34 county Appalachian region. The plan is expected to create 725 jobs during its construction. Funded with ARRA monies, the plan will lay a fiber-optic network to expand broadband services across the region for industrial parks, health and safety services, healthcare facilities, schools and colleges as well as for business and residential use. Of the region's 705,000 households, it is estimated that 457,000 are underserved and 125,000 are entirely unserved with broadband access.
 ODOT Hosts GO-OHIO Transportation Futures Plan Meeting
 Did you know that every $1 million invested in Ohio's transportation system creates 22 jobs? Transportation contributes to economic development. In an effort to develop a plan for the future that gives priority to economic growth and job creation when making investment decisions, Go OHIO will help ODOT maximize its investments. The SE Ohio business and community leader meeting was hosted in Marietta in Aug.
Hocking County:  Enterprise Appalachia Web Site Features Hocking College Energy Institute
Meigs County: Racine Receives $300,000 CDBG Grant
Racine received a highly competitive $300,000 Community Development Block Grant. The grant will help complete public improvements in the village: installing 2,337 linear feet of sidewalks, 2,024 linear feet of street paving material, six catch basins, 840 linear feet of culvert, 315 linear feet of fencing; purchasing 39 pieces of firefighting equipment and 100 water meters; demolishing six vacant, abandoned houses; constructing a batting cage at Star Mall Park; and replacing the community building's roof, windows, and doors. The project will leverage approximately $191,300 of additional funds.
 Monroe County: 9-1-1 Services Operational
Monroe County Sheriff dispatcher and communications supervisor Maria Jones sits in front of the new 911 system. When a landline or cell phone call comes in, the digital map displays the location from where the call originates. The dispatcher can quickly see where the 911 call is from and which fire or emergency department to contact. Photo courtesy of Monroe County Beacon.
Morgan County: Morgan Learning Center approved as WSCC Accredited Location
The Higher Learning Commission, in association with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), recently announced approval of the Morgan County Learning Center as an official additional location of Washington State Community College. The Learning Center will be Washington State's first off-campus, in-state "additional location." This includes an extension of accreditation, allowing students at the Learning Center to complete 50 percent or more of courses leading either to a degree program or certificate.
 Washington County: Ohio Rt. 7 Project Receives $750,000 Grant
The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority's Ingenuity Center project will help grown jobs in Washington County. The Center will be a 35,000 sq.ft. facility in the Seven North Commerce Park near Marietta. The grant is part of The Ohio Job Ready Sites program. It will be used to support construction of the building on five acres. The goal is to attract companies in the temperature-controlled cabinet industry specific to the research and medical fields. Shown at left at the site location are Michael Clarey and Christi Lynch both of The Ohio Dept. of Development; Rick Hindman of Buckeye Hills; and Chris Schaffer of The Governor's Office of Appalachia.
Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre Receives Grant
Ohio Department of Development announced $597,500 in Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund grants to four Ohio projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre Association (Washington County) will receive $200,000 to conduct remediation on the Colony Theater at 222 Putnam Street in Marietta. The project will include the removal of asbestos in the 1,000-seat Colony Theater, which is undergoing an estimated $5 million renovation. The project is expected to create 246 construction jobs and 46 full-time positions. The Theatre was built in 1919 and has been vacant since 1985.
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 AAA8 Regional Advisory Council to Host Seminar on Alzheimer's Disease - Sept. 24Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks the brain. It is the most common form of dementia. Join us as we welcome guest speakers from the Alzheimer's Association who will provide the answers you need. Dixie Huffman of The Alzheimer's Association, WV Chapter (Serving Athens, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties) and Greg Winslow of The Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter (Serving Hocking and Perry Counties) will present on Friday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. at The Lafayette Hotel ~ 101 Front Street, Marietta. Topics will include: What is Alzheimer's; What are the associated behaviors; What can I expect; What are the legal aspects and What services and supports are available through the Alzheimer's Association.
The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; RSVP to 1-800-331-2644.
 Choices Program Brochures Now AvailableChoices is a consumer-directed Medicaid waiver program that provides home and community-based services and supports to older Ohioans. Providers can be agency or non-agency professional caregivers or individual providers such as friends, neighbors or some relatives (spouses, parents, step-parents and legal guardians are ineligible). The consumer is the "employer of record" for individual providers and is responsible for hiring, firing, training, and completing all necessary tax forms and payroll duties for these workers. The Choices program uses a Fiscal Employer Agent to assist the consumer with the financial aspects of the program
Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging is the area's administrator of Choices and PASSPORT, cost-effective, in-home alternatives to nursing home care for Medicaid-eligible residents age 60 and older. For more information on this and other Caregiver services, call 1-800-331-2644 and if eligible, an in-home assessment will be scheduled
AAA8 Provides Assistance with Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Applications  The state has released the income eligibility guidelines for the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Households are eligible for HEAP assistance if their income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, an increase from the previous level of 175 percent.
The state's Home Energy Assistance Program assists eligible low-income Ohioans meet the cost of home energy bills. The Program, administered by the Department's Office of Community Services, pays a one-time payment for the current winter heating season. Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify for a larger amount of assistance. A special component of HEAP, the Winter Crisis Program, is administered by Community Action agencies.
The Winter Crisis Program provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected, threatened with disconnection, or have less than a 10 day supply of bulk fuel. To be eligible for home energy assistance, the total household income of an applicant must be at or below 200 percent of the 2009 federal poverty guidelines listed below:
Size of Household: Total Household Income: (Twelve Months)
1 up to $ 21,660
2 up to $ 29,140
3 up to $ 36,620
4 up to $ 44,100
5 up to $ 51,580
6 up to $ 59,060
7 up to $ 66,540
8 up to $ 74,020
For households with more than eight members, add $7,480 per member to the yearly income.
Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program are now being accepted. Copies are available at www.areaagency8.org. For assistance, seniors should call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644.
Elder Caregiver Award Nominations
The Ohio Department of Aging is calling for nominations for the Elder Caregiver Award. Family members and other informal caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system, contributing more than 1.1 million hours of unpaid help to others - care valued in excess of $10.4 billion. Criteria for the award include that the caregiver or recipient of care must be age 60 or older and the caregiving must not be job-related. Nominations may be made by an individual or an organization; self-nominations are not accepted. Anyone interested in nominating a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend may do so online.
The department will accept nominations through October 1. Honorees will be recognized at a ceremony in the spring. Nominate someone online
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